Council Meeting Minutes

A regular meeting of the City Council of Vinton, Iowa, was held on the 13th day of December, 2018, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, Vinton, Iowa. Mayor Maynard presided and the roll being called the following Council Members were present and absent: Present: Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Absent: None.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Motion by Elwick, second by Hessenius to approve the agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

Motion by Hessenius, second by Stark to approve the consent agenda. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Items on the consent agenda are to receive and file the Council meeting minutes of November 21, 2018, approve invoices in the amount of $487,675.21, receive and file the November revenue and expenditure report and to receive and file the Airport Commission meeting minutes of November 26, 2018.

Hessenius reported that the Public Works Committee met to look at the ditch along 1605 South 2nd Avenue. Making a higher retaining wall was suggested. No recommendation was made at this time.

Edwards reported that the Business Type Activities Committee had met with Tionna Pooler, Independent Public Advisors, to review sewer rates. The sewer plant needs some upgrades and improvements for nutrient reduction to meet new regulations.

Jeff Young sent a letter expressing concern about vehicles parking in a driveway with a public sidewalk running through them. Chief Paxton will contact Mr. Young.

Officer West talked to Council about his duties as a School Resource Officer. He is at the Middle School and High School most of the time. He is working on building relationships with the students. He has taught a variety of classes, such as situation awareness and domestic abuse. He feels this new position is beneficial to both the police department and the schools.

The Mayor announced that now was the time and place set to hold a public hearing on a proposed lease/purchase agreement with Ford Motor Company. The proposed purchase is for a 2020 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD. The Mayor closed the hearing.

Motion by Stark, second by Parr to approve a RESOLUTION TO LEASE PURCHASE A POLICE VEHICLE FOR FY 2018-2019. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 12-18-01 passed and approved. The lease purchase is for 3 years.

Nate Kass, Fehr Graham engineer, stated he had viewed the televised recording of the sewer line along E 3rd Street. The sewer line is level. He reported that this 3rd Street project ran over contract days by 14.5 days. The contractor could contest some of the days. Motion by Parr, second by Elwick to move forward towards finalizing the project and not ask for liquidated damages. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Parr, Stark. Nays – Hessenius, Hesson. The Mayor declared the motion carried. Kass will prepare a final change order for council’s consideration.

Motion by Stark, second by Parr to approve a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM SPECIAL REVENUE WEST TIF #2 FUND TO DOWNTOWN FUND. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – None. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 12-18-02 passed and approved. The transfer will be in the amount of $100,000.

Motion by Hesson,
second by Stark to approve a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM
GENERAL FUND TO LIBRARY FUND.
Question: Ayes – Edwards, Elwick,
Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays –
None. The Mayor declared the motion
carried and declared RESOLUTION 12-18-03 passed and approved. A quarterly transfer of $57,869 is approved.

Motion by Parr, second by Hessenius to approve a RESOLUTION TO APPROVE TRANSFER OF FUNDS TO AIRPORT FUND. Question: Ayes – Edwards, Hessenius, Hesson, Parr, Stark. Nays – Elwick. The Mayor declared the motion carried and declared RESOLUTION 12-18-04 passed and approved. A transfer of $10,000 will be made from the General Fund to the Airport Fund.

Julie Shebek, First American Site Acquisition, Inc., stated FTC Tower Co. is planning to build tower just outside of Vinton. The network that will be using this tower is a network for public safety. Motion by Stark, second by Hessenius to approve the request from First American Site Acquisition to construct of a cell phone tower within a two mile radius of Vinton city limits. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. This will be near County Road E22 (Garrison blacktop).

Motion by Parr, second by Hesson to approve a request from Iowa Valley RC&D to have a link on the City website to their website. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried. They will be doing a flood resiliency study for the Middle Cedar Watershed Management Authority.

Motion by Stark, second by Parr to approve a request from the Vinton Livewire to park a dumpster in front of their office the weekend of December 22nd. Question: Ayes – All. The Mayor declared the motion carried.

It was reported that the street department’s 2000 utility tractor has transmission problems. Council will consider repairs versus purchase at their next meeting.

Administrator Ward will be working on the next budget. He attended interviews for a new parks and recreation director. He also met with Shive Hattery engineers to talk about a walking trail system.
Police Chief Paxton reported they will be having their first Holiday with a Cop on December 19th. Theisen’s will be offering a discount for this event.

It was reported that the land parcel on Q Avenue that the City sold in January 2018 has now been resold. There is a requirement to build a house within two years from January 2018.

Mayor Maynard reported he had spoken with the lobbyist regarding the braille school campus. The lobbyist is optimistic.